product-pair

/product-pair — Product Pairing

"What goes with this?" Takes a product and suggests complementary items across different categories — a side table for a sofa, a floor lamp for a reading chair, a rug for a dining table. Returns 5-8 pairings with reasoning rooted in design principles.

When to Use

• Building out a room or vignette from a hero piece
• Designer has a key product and needs to complete the palette
• Presenting a coordinated product package to a client
• Filling gaps in an FF&E schedule by category

Step 1: Accept Input

By name:

/product-pair Blu Dot Diplomat Sofa

By name + context:

/product-pair Blu Dot Diplomat Sofa for a tech office lounge

By product details:

/product-pair
Name: Diplomat Sofa
Brand: Blu Dot
Materials: Steel frame, fabric upholstery
Color: Edwards Navy
Style: Contemporary, minimal
Price: $2,499
Context: Corporate lounge, 6-person seating area

Step 2: Analyze the Source Product

Identify the product's design DNA:

• Style language: Mid-century, Scandinavian, industrial, contemporary, etc.
• Material palette: Wood type, metal finish, upholstery type
• Color family: Warm neutrals, cool tones, bold accent, monochrome
• Scale: Compact/apartment, standard, generous/commercial
• Price tier: Budget (<$500), mid-range ($500-$2,000), premium ($2,000-$5,000), luxury ($5,000+)
• Market: Residential, contract, hospitality

Step 3: Determine Pairing Categories

Based on the source product's category, identify what typically pairs with it:

Source Category	Pair With
Sofa	Coffee table, side table, floor lamp, throw pillow, rug, ottoman
Lounge Chair	Side table, floor lamp, ottoman, throw
Dining Table	Dining chairs, pendant light, sideboard, rug
Desk	Task chair, desk lamp, monitor arm, desk organizer
Bed	Nightstands, table lamps, bench, rug, dresser
Conference Table	Conference chairs, credenza, pendant/linear light
Task Chair	Desk, monitor arm, task light

If the designer provided context (e.g., "tech office lounge"), factor that into category selection.

Step 4: Search for Pairings

For each pairing category, search for products that match the source's:

• Style: Same design language or intentional contrast
• Material harmony: Complementary materials (e.g., walnut sofa → brass lamp, not chrome)
• Color coordination: Same palette, complementary, or intentional accent
• Scale proportion: Appropriately sized relative to the source
• Price alignment: Similar tier (don't pair a $5,000 sofa with a $30 lamp)

Run 2-3 searches per pairing category. Target 5-8 total pairings across different categories.

Step 5: Present Pairings

## Pairings for: Diplomat Sofa — Blu Dot

Source: Contemporary minimal, steel/navy fabric, $2,499

### Coffee Table
**Minimalista Coffee Table — Blu Dot** · $799
48"W × 24"D × 16"H · Steel, glass
Same brand, same design language. Steel frame echoes the sofa's base.

### Side Table
**Swole Small Side Table — Blu Dot** · $349
15" dia × 18"H · Steel, solid walnut top
Adds warmth with walnut. Low profile sits well next to the sofa arm height.

### Floor Lamp
**IC F1 — Flos** · $695
14" dia × 53"H · Brass, opal glass
Sculptural counterpoint to the sofa's linearity. Brass warms the cool navy.

### Throw Pillow
**Dot Dash Pillow — Loom Decor** · $89
20" × 20" · Linen blend
Texture contrast against the sofa fabric. Available in coordinating colorways.

### Rug
**Sathi Rug — Armadillo** · $1,450
8' × 10' · Wool, undyed
Neutral base grounds the navy. Contract-grade durability.

---

## Pairing Summary

| Category | Product | Brand | Price | Why |
|----------|---------|-------|-------|-----|
| Coffee Table | Minimalista | Blu Dot | $799 | Same language, steel continuity |
| Side Table | Swole Small | Blu Dot | $349 | Walnut warmth, right height |
| Floor Lamp | IC F1 | Flos | $695 | Brass accent, sculptural form |
| Pillow | Dot Dash | Loom Decor | $89 | Texture contrast |
| Rug | Sathi | Armadillo | $1,450 | Neutral ground, contract-grade |

**Total pairing package: $3,382**

Presentation rules

• Explain the design reasoning for each pairing — material harmony, color logic, scale, style
• Mix brands — don't just suggest the same brand for everything (unless the designer asks)
• Include at least one accent — a piece that creates intentional contrast (different material, color pop, different era)
• Stay in the price tier — pairings should feel proportionate to the source
• Note contract availability if the source is contract-grade

Step 6: Save

If the designer picks pairings, write to the master Google Sheet using the 33-column schema defined in ../../schema/product-schema.md (read for column reference and formats). Use ../../schema/sheet-conventions.md for CRUD patterns.

• Column AD (Tags): append pair:{source-product-name} for traceability
• Column AE (Notes): "Paired with {source product}. {Design reasoning}"
• Column AF (Status): "saved"
• Column AG (Source): "product-pair"

Pairs With

• /product-match — match finds alternatives to the source, pair finds complements
• /product-research — research finds products from a brief, pair builds around an anchor piece
• /product-enrich — enrich paired products with full metadata
• /product-data-import — import the source + pairings into the master schedule